Broom



I. M. WELLS April 15, 1941.

BROOM Filed Nov. 8, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. We :5

ATTORNEY.

April 4 l. M. WELLS 2,238,716

BROOM Filed NOV. 8, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet2 IN V ENTOR.

//"c7 M g// BY W47 7% ATTORNEY.

April 15, 1941. l. M. WELLS 2,238,716

BROOM Filed Nov. 8, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 15, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The invention relates to power driven brooms of the type used for street sweeping and in sweeping and spreading light materials in road construction.

Brooms of the character described have had a relatively wide application in road construction for clearing and sweeping the road bed and in preparation of the subgrade and the completed road surfaces and also in assisting in the application of light materials, such as screenings and the like, to the road. For exampla'it is common to apply fine. earth and screenings to oil treated road surfaces and brooms of the character described may be used for spreading such materials uniformly across the road bed. It is frequently desirable to traverse the road with such a broom several times and to continually move or work the material towards one side of the road. Means are, therefore, frequently provided on such brooms for changing the inclination of the broom so that on movement of the broom along the road in one direction the material may be uniformly spread to, say, the right side of the equipment and the road, and on return of the broom over the road in an opposite direction the inclination of the broom may be adjusted so as to displace the material to, say, the left side of the equipment and to the same side of the road as before. With such an arrangement it is possible to sweep the road in both directions of movement without taking the broomout of operation on the return movement to the original starting position.

A broom capable of such variations in its inclination relative to the direction of movement of the broom vehicle is generally termed a reversing type broom and the broom proper is generally supported on a secondary pivoted frame from the main body or vehicle frame. Where the broom is of a power driven rotary type the provision for both changing the inclination of the broom axis and for driving the broom in its various inclined positions, has given rise to considerable difliculty. Heretofore, such a combination has been attained only by mounting a motor or engine directly on the pivoted frame support for the broom so that the engine and drive connections for the broom would always be spaced by a constant distance permitting of a drive connection between the engine and the broom. The principal disadvantage in this type of construction is that the engine is subjected to a considerable amount of dust and dirt and is frequently completely enveloped within clouds of dust which are drawn into the engine cylindersand deposited at various movable working parts of the engine to produce and greatly accelerate Wear and deterioration of the engine.

In accordance with the present invention and as a principal object thereof, I provide for the driving of a rotary power driven broom of the reversing type from one or more ground engaging traction wheels provided on the vehicle by the use of an extensible universally connected drive member which enables the positioning of the broom at a plurality and variety of positions from the drive wheel and thereby eliminate the necessity of using an independent motor or engine on the pivoted broom frame for driving the broom.

In traction driven brooms heretofore proposed, only a single broom speed was available for a given traveling speed of the broom vehicle. In many types of work it is necessary or at least desirable to use a high broom speed and a slow vehicle speed and on the other hand, it is many times convenient to use a slower broom speed with a relatively high vehicle speed. Such a control of the broom speed relative to the vehicle speed of the equipment has only been heretofore attained by the use of an independent motor means for the broom as above described. However, in accordance with the present invention and as another object thereof, I provide a reversible traction driven broom of the character described having means for providing a multiple speed drive of the broom from the traction means so that a plurality of broom speeds may be obtained for each traveling speed of the broom vehicle.

A further object of the invention is to provide for a detachable broom connection-enabling the ready removal of the broom proper from the vehicle so as to allow for rapid transportation of the equipment between points of use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a broom of the character described having means for interchangeably supporting a plurality of different type brooms so as to enable the use of a single body vehicle with various types of brooms required to be used on a single construction job.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, Withthe foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention asset forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a broom con- The broom of the present invention consists briefly in a wheel supported truck or Vehicle body from which is suspended a support forarotary or other type broom and wherein the support for the broom is so arranged as't'o enable movement of the axis of the broom to various inclined p.osi-.

tions relative to the movement of the vehicle, and wherein the broom is driven from one or more of the supporting wheels of the vehicle. To accomplish this latter drive a special mechanism is used for connecting the broom to the source when the broom is at a variety of positions with respect to the source, and further means is used for providing a selective speed ratio between the drive wheel orwheels and the broom. Also, means is provided for raising and lowering the broom relativeto the vehicle frame so as to regulate the pressure of the broom against the road and means is also provided for enabling a quick removal of the broom from its supporting structure and for interchanging various types of broom.

More specifically, the apparatus consists of a body or vehicle frame 8 comprising a pair of transversely spaced longitudinal beams T and 8, which as will be seen from Figure 1, are extended downwardly at their forward and rearward ends 9 and II from a horizontal intermediate portion I2 and are supported at their forward and rearward ends by wheel supports including front and rear axles l3 and I4, and a set of forward and rear wheels l6, l1, l8 and I9. The rear end portions H of the beams are braced by means of a transverse plate 2| and the axle M is preferably journaled in dust-proof bearings 22 and 23 provided by the end portions H of the beams. Preferably a horizontal platform 2!] for the operator is supported by the rear ends of the beams to the rear of the plate 2|, the latter acting as a shield to dust stirred up by the broom. The beams I and 8 taper forwardly over the intermediate portion [2 and forward portion 9 as shown in Figure 2, and are connected at their forward ends to a plate 24 which is rested on and pivoted to a plate 26 secured to the front axle l3, the pivotal connection being effected by means of a pin 2'! extended through aligned openings in the plates 24 and 26 and the axles [3 at substantially the center of the axle. A tow bar 28 is secured to the under side of plate 26 for drawing the device and preferably is of sufficient length to enable the positioning of a towing device such as a truck or tractor or the like sufficiently forward of the broom to remove the towing device from the dust stirred up by the broom.

In the showing of the device in Figures 1 and 2, a rotary type broom 29 is illustrated which consists of a solid or rigid core 31 to which is mounted a plurality of sweepin elements 32 which may consist of fibre or metal bristles or the like and which are extended radially from the core 3| so as todefinea cylindrical rotary brush. Means for supporting. the brush from the vehicle frame here consists of a secondary frame 32 which is rested on the intermediate horizontal portion l2 of the vehicle frame and is provided at its rearward ends with depending members 33 which are pivoted to the rear side of a broom frame 3 3. As will be seen from Figure 2, the secondary frame 32 is of substantially rectangular form and is somewhat wider than the vehicle frame and lies directly over the broom. frame 34, which is here shown also of rectangular shape and of somewhat larger size than the secondary frame. The lateral extension of the secondary frame 32 from the sides l and 8 of the body frame allows the depending members 33 to straddle the body frame in spaced sidewise relation thereto, whereby a considerable movement of the secondary frame is permitted relative to the vehicle frame for changing the position of the brush. In accordance with the present arrangement the movement of the secondary frame and the brush frame relative to the vehicle frame is confined to a pivotal movement so as to permit of a change of angularity of the axis of the brush relative to the longitudinal direction of movement of the vehicle frame. A'pivotal connection between the secondary frame and the body frame is effected by a lug 38 at the rearward side 31 of the secondary frame and which is pivoted, as by means of a bolt 38, to a cross-piece 39 connecting the longitudinal beams 1 and 8 at a rearward portion of the intermediate part i2 of-the frame. Preferably the front side 4| of the secondary frame is provided adjacent its transverse ends with depending stop members 42 and 43 which, on rota- I tion of the secondary frame about the pivot 38, engage the sides of the beams 1 and 8 to limit the rotational displacement of the secondary frame. Also a plurality of openings 44 are provided in the forward side 4lof the secondary frame and the longitudinal members I and 8 for receiving a bolt or the like for holding the secondar frame in a straightforward and intermediate inclined position of the broom.

The forward side 46 of the broom frame is supported from the secondary frame 32 by means providing for the raising and lowering of the'forward part of the broom frame so as to advance the broom into contact with the roadway or to retract the broom therefrom and for regulating the amount of pressure of the broom against the roadway. Such means here consists of a pair of members 41 which are pivoted at their lower ends to the forward side 46 of the broom frame and extend upwardly at the outer sides of the vehicle frame and are pivoted at their upper ends to levers 48 fixed to a transverse shaft 49 carried by the secondary frame. Means for rotating the shaft to raise and lower the members 41 here consists of an arm 5| fixed to the shaft and connected by means of a link 52 to an opcrating lever 53 pivoted at its lower end to the secondary frame. The lever may be set in adjusted position by means of an adjustable looking mechanism including a segment ratchet 54 carried by the secondary frame and a; detent 55 and operating lever 5'1 and connection 58 therefor carried by the lever 53. A tension spring'59 is preferably connected between the arm 5i and the secondary frame for assisting the operator in lifting the broom frame. Preferably'the compression of the broom against the road surface is effected through a resilient means so as to act as a shock release on the'broom support upon the broom traversing'some irregularity in the roadway. As here shown, such a resilient support is provided by mounting the levers 48 on slides 6| carried by the forward upright members 41 and limiting the movement of the slides between an upward position against a compression spring 63 confined between the base of the slide and a spring seat 64 of the members 41.

As will be seen from Figure 1, the mounting .of the broom to the broom frame 34 is here effected by journaling shaft ends 65 of the broom oore3l in bearings 61 detachably secured as by bolts 68 to the under side of the transverse ends 69 of the broom frame. Preferably a hood II is carried by the broom frame over the top of the broom for shielding dust.

As hereinabove indicated, the broom is driven from one or a plurality of the traction wheels of the vehicle and in the present embodiment the rear wheels I8 and I9 and rear axle M are used for this purpose. Also, as indicated in the foregoing, the present device provides for a plurality of broom speeds at a given speed of the vehicle notwithstanding the use of a traction drive for the broom. This is effected by the positioning of a variable speed transmission mechanism 12 between the source of power at the rear axle and the broom for increasing or decreasing the speed transmitted from the axle to the broom. As will be understood, the provision for moving the broom into a plurality of inclined and vertical positions relative to the body frame has heretofore prevented the driving of a broom from a fixed point on the vehicle frame, as by a traction wheel. In the present construction, however, this difficulty is surmounted by using an extensible type driving connection which is universally secured at its ends so as to enable a variety of movements of the broom while maintaining the drive connection.

Preferably, the transmission mechanism 12 is fixedly secured to the vehicle frame as by means of depending members 13 directly forward of one of the rear wheels I9 and is provided with a drive shaft I4 which is driven from the rear axle M by means of sprockets I6 and I! mounted on the shaft I4 and the rear axle and chain 18. A vertically adjustable sprocket 19 carried by a depending member 8| from the vehicle frame is preferably engaged with the upper side of the chain to maintain a substantially constant tension and to minimize back-lash and slack in the chain. A gear shift lever 82 extends upwardly from the transmission mechanism between the side beams I and 8 and at the forward side of the cross plate 2| for engagement by an operator to effect a change of gears. The transmission mechanism is provided with a driven shaft 33 which is connected by a universal joint 84 to one end of a torque drive member 86, which is connected at its opposite end by a universal joint 8'! to a shaft 88 journaled in a bearing 88 supported by the rear side 31 of the broom frame. A chain drive is also preferably provided between the shaft and one of the end shafts 68 of the broom and here consists of sprockets SI and 92 mounted on these shafts and a drive chain 93 connected therewith. The torque member 86 here consists of a pair of rectangular or polygonal telescopic sections 84 and 96 (see Figure 4), although the same may be otherwise keyed or splined together for rotation as a unit, and which are extensible and contractible longitudinally to permit movement-of the broom frame relative to the transmission mechanism. In accordance with the present arrangement, the driving connection between the rear axle and the broom is such as to cause the broom to rotate in a reverse direction from that of the traction wheels. This is preferably effected by using a reversing gear in the transmission mechanism and av direct drive as here shown between the wheels and broom. It will be understood that the transmission mechanism is of common design such as used in automotive vehicles and includes a plurality of drive and driven gears which are selectively enmeshed by means of the operating lever 82 to produce a variable gear ratio between the drive and driven shafts of the transmission mechanism.

While I prefer to utilize both of the rear wheels I 8 and I9 for driving the broom, it is desirable in some instances to disconnect one of these wheels from the rear axle, as when the device is being used on turns or when being towed from place to place at a relatively high speed. Disassooiation of the wheels is especially important where the vehicle is turned around on freshly treated road surfaces, as otherwise the sliding and skidding of the wheels greatly disturbs and tears up the soft road surface. While a differential mechanism may be used between the wheels, the same does not provide near the tractional driving force of a solid axle. As here shown in Figures 2 and 3, means is provided for selectively connecting and disconnecting the wheel I8 to the rear axle I4 and such means comprises in the present embodiment a slide block 91 mounted on and keyed to the axle I4 and which is slidable into and out of an opening 98 in the wheel support 99 of the wheel I8 for locking the wheel to and releasing the same from the rear axle I4. A shifting lever IBI is connected to the block 9'! and is pivoted to the vehicle frame and extended thereabove for engagement by the operator for selectively locking or releasing the shaft I4 and wheel I8. It will be understood that a separate motor or the like could be mounted on the frame for providing a power input to the transmission mecha-- nism, it being noted that in such case in common with the traction drive that the source of driving power for the broom is positioned at a fixed location on the vehicle frame, while the broom and drive therefor are movable with respect to the frame.

One of the important features of the present construction is in the arrangement for quickly and easily detaching the broom from the broom frame. This is desirable in some instances where the device is to be towed at relatively high speeds from place to place, and also and particularly for permitting the interchanging of various type brooms. For example, I have shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, three difierent type brooms which are commonly used in this type of equipment which are especially arranged for ready attachment to the broom frame. In Figure 5 an ordinary type street broom is illustrated in attached postion to the end sides of the broom frame. In Figure 6 a heavy stiff wire broom is shown similarly attached, while in Figure 7 a curved stiff wire broom is attached. The broom form illustated in Figure 6 is frequently used for leveling out heavier screenings or material, while the form illustrated in Figure 7 may be used for raking out oversize pieces of gravel or the like. In each of these different type brooms, the broom elements 32, 32", and 32" are secured to rigid backing members H32, I82", and MY, which are secured by bolts 68', 68", and 68" to the under surface of the ends 69 of the broom frame 34 through identical bolt holes used frame and a horizontally arranged cylindrical broom adjustably mounted thereon for movement about both vertical and horizontal axes,

a manually controlled variable speed transmission mechanism carried by said vehicle frame in a fixed position thereon, drive means connecting said transmission mechanism with one of said wheels, and a drive mechanism including an extensible torque member connecting said transmission mechanism with one end of said broom in the several adjusted positions thereof.

IRA M. WELLS. 

